CSSL calls for review of FTA with Singapore

Tuesday, 8 May 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Computer Society of Sri Lanka (CSSL) as the representative body of the IT professionals in Sri Lanka have been taking part in the dialogues held by your ministry with regard to the signing of several Free Trade Agreements (FTA) between Sri Lanka and countries including Singapore, India and China towards developing our nation.

CSSL Executive Council and membership have always been optimistic about the outcomes of the FTAs and have updated at the meetings about the safeguard of our own Sri Lankan IT professionals, especially with regard to the Mode 4 of the proposed FTAs, around presence of natural persons.

However, after reviewing the signed FTA between Sri Lanka and Singapore which has been signed in January, the CSSL council is having some concerns over the liberalisation of IT profession compared to Legal, Engineering and Architecture professions, ((752) & (CPC 84)) where it states horizontal commitments and horizontal conditions.

Therefore, we earnestly request the Government to discuss this matter with CSSL and other IT industry stakeholders before the agreement is put into action. While we appreciate FTAs to broaden our trade and make Sri Lanka a hub in the region, we need to carefully evaluate the impact on the IT community in Sri Lanka and the economy before these things are rushed into action. We believe we need to have our internal rules properly placed before business is widely opened this way to the world especially in the areas where it could impact job opportunities of Sri Lankans.